Base unit for steam and electric irons



July 11, 1944. F. M. WARING ETAL BASE UNIT FOR STEAM AND ELECTRIC IRONS Filed Aug. 21, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l NVEJ N TOQ/ reabYb/MPVariz'f #ia'wardJleefi July 11, 1944. v F. M. WARING ETAL BASE UNIT FOR STEAM AND ELECTRIC IRONS Filed Aug. 21, .i940 2 Shee ts-Sheet 2 Patented July 11, 1944 2,353,604 BASE UNIT FOR STEAM AND ELECTRIC IRONS Frederic M. Waring, Shawnee, Pa., and Edward J. Lee, Jr., New Rochelle, N. Y., asslgnors to Merrill M. Kistner, Lakeside, Mich.

Application August 21, 1940, Serial No. 353,450

8 Claims.

The invention relates to base units for steam-.

electric iron devices of the type in which operation of the electrically heated iron is accompanied by the discharge of steam against the fabric being ironed. The present invention is an improvement of the base unit embodied in the device disclosed in the application of Merrill M. Kistner, Serial No. 338,962, filed June 5, 1940.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved base unit embodying novel means for efiiciently effecting the conversion of water into steam.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved unit of this character embodying novel means for preventing the passage of possible water accumulation through the discharge ports onto the fabric being treated.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means in a device of this character for eflectively controlling the rate of steam generation.

More particularly stated, an object of the invention is to provide a novel base unit having a first zone into which moisture to be converted into steam is delivered, and having a second zone through which steam or moisture passes toward discharge ports from the unit, the first zone being defined by a mass arranged to be heated rapidly and the second zone being defined by a mass that heats more slowly, the temperature of the second zone during steam generation being slightly higher than that of the first zone.

In coniunction with the foregoing, another object is to provide, in a base unit having first and second zones for converting moisture delivered to the first zone into steam, metallic means for retarding the travel of unconverted moisture particles through the second zone without bafliing or retarding the fiow of steam therethrough.

Another object is to provide novel means cooperating with the base unit to define the steam passages.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following description and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a steam-electric iro including a base unit embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing in disassembled relation the base and cooperating closure plate which together form the base unit.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryplan view of the iron base.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the base unit taken on a central longitudinal vertical plane.

Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse sectional views through the base unit taken as indicated by the lines 5-5 and 6-8 of Fig. 3.

Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, are detail sectional .views illustrating the formation of the steam passageway and the views are taken as indicated by the lines 1-], H, 8-! and Ill-l0, respectively, of F18. 3.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, we have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that we do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the inventionas expressed in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows an exempiary form of iron structure for the purpose of illustrating the invention. The class of ironin: device with which the invention is primarily concerned is that known as combined steam and electric irons, or simply steam irons. Such irons 'are characterized by the discharge of steam against or into the fabric being ironed; As shown in Fig.1, the iron comprises generally a base unit 20 with which the presentinvention is particu-v larly concerned, a superimposed body section 2| which includes an inner partition 22 defining a forward water reservoir 23, and a rear compartment 24 in which the electrical connections and a temperature control thermostat (not shown) are located. A handle 25 is mounted above the upper surfaceofthe body section. Delivery of water from the reservoir 23 to a receiving zone located in the base unit is controlled by a valve assembly 26 manipulable by an operating finger piece 21. The valve assembly is hollow to permit the reservoir to be filled through it.

The foregoing structure, apart from the base unit, is more particularly described in the copending application of Merrill M. Kistner above identified.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the base unit is of more or less conventional shape and includes a pointed nose 28, and an opposed heel 29 of substantial width connected by smoothly arcuate sides 30. Preferably the base is a cast metallic member having side walls 3| and a heel wall 32. Spaced inwardly from the side walls and preferably cast as an integral part of the base is a heating element 33.

As herein illustrated, the he ting element is an elongated rod-like member the type known commercially as Calrod and comprised of an outer sheath 34 (Fig. 4) an inner resistance wire 35, and an intervening, mass of thermally conductive dielectric material 38. The heating element is bent into U or V-shaped form, as shown in Fig. 3. providing a closed end and outwardly diverged legs and the element is dimensioned so that in assembly the closed end is disposed in the nose portion of the iron and the diverging legs approximately follow the contourv of the sides of the base. The mass of metal, in which the heating element is embedded, terminates as indicated at l! in spaced relation to the heel wall 32 and the ends of the heating element-extend outwardly therefrom and are inclined slightly away from the base for convenience in establishing the electrical connections to the opposite ends of the resistance wire. An elongated susbstantially deep recess 31 extending forwardly and centrally through the heel portion of the base is provided to receive a suitable form of temperature control thermostat.

Along the inner sides of the heating element are steam-flow channels 38 which meet in the area designated '39, which is enclosed on three sides both inwardly and outwardly of the line of the heating element, as well as in the securing boss in the nose portion'of the iron, to secure the plate in steam tight relation to the upper surface of the base. Where it is desirable to avoid undue depth in the channels 38 and 40, registering grooves 38' and 40' may be provided in the under side of the plate.

It may in some instances be desirable to reenforce the closure plate 49 against bending or buckling as a result of the thermally induced expansion and contraction of the base, or because of possible differences in the degree of expansion and contraction of the base and closure plate used to prevent the discharge of unconverted water particles from the iron, but baflling means have not been entirely satisfactory either in operation or from a manufacturing point of view.

by the bend of the heating element. This area 39 may be considered a zone of initial steam generation since it is located beneath the water discharge port from the reservoir controlled by the valve assembly 26. The channels 38 extend rearwardly from the zone 39 along the inner lateral sides of the legs of the heating element and terminate at their rear ends near but in spaced relacasing metal has a continuous channel 40 therein which follows the contour of the legs and bend of the heating element. At its rear ends the channel 411 communicates, as at 4|, with the respective rear ends of the channels. In the nose portion of the base and also in those portions located between the outer side of the heating element and the sides of the iron is a series of steam discharge 'ports 42 which extend downwardly through the base, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, to open through the ironing face 43 thereof. Outwardly extending passages from the channel 40 establish communication between the channel and the outlet ports and, if desired, a depression or well 45 may be formed in each passage between the channel-and the outlet port. This arrangement is shown for all outlet ports except the The present invention embodies a relationship which converts all of the moisture delivered thereto into steam even though the quantity of water delivered to the iron varies rather widely. Moreover, the character of the discharged steam itself may be varied through a wide range from a condition in which the steam is wet to a condition in which the steam is super-heated to a high degree. It is possible, therefore, by varying the relationship of the temperature of the ironing base to the quantity of water admitted thereto to produce that quality of steam proper for the reconditioning of practically any type of fabric.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, it will be noted that the central portion of the base in front of the recess 31" and within the confines of the channels 38 is occupied by a triangularly shaped mass of metal 56. As shown in Figs. 4 and 6. the generating zone within the bend of the heating element is comparatively deep. The channels three in the extreme nose portion of the base.v

These three ports are preferably served from the channel 40 by a continuous passage 46 which encircles a securing boss 41 and has a larger well or depression 48 adJoining the channel.

Since the channels 38 and 40, and th communicating passages leading to the outlet ports, are formed in the upper surface of the base, closure means is provided for completing the conducting system. As best shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, the closure means in the present instance comprises a plate 48 shaped and dimensioned to fit snugly within an upstanding flange 50 formed as a continuation of the side walls of the base. At its heel end, the plate terminates short of the ends 31 and the plate has a recess 5| registering with the walls of the recess 31* on the base. Such means as screws 52 extend through countersunk apertures 53 in the plate for engagement with tapped bores '54 formed in the base preferably 1| erating zone, have an upward inclination; in other words, as may be seen from a comparison of Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, the bottom walls of the channels 38 slope gradually upwardly until they reach the level of the'channels 40 above the heating elements approximately at the rear or heel ends of the channels. It is preferred, moreover, that the bottoms of the channels be arcuate in cross sectional contour, the radius of the arc increasing gradually between the front and rear ends of the channels. As water is delivered into the generating zone 39 in a succession of drops through a closed conduit communicating with the tapped opening 51 in the cover plate, at least some portion thereof will instantly be converted into steam (it being presumed, of course, that the temperature of the base is at least above the temperature at which water would not be converted into steam). The volume of steam initially developed escapes out of the generating zone into the channels 38 and this flow of steam will carry with it such particles of water as remain unconverted. The upward inclination of the channels 38, however, tends to retard, but not obstruct, the flow of such parerating zone is less than the mass of metal heated by the element along the intermediate portions of the channels. The tendency of the incoming water to lower the temperature in the generating zone will be overcome by the rapidity with which the smaller mass of metal around this zone will return to its normal temperature. Rearwardly along the channels 38, the temperature will be more uniform. It has been found desirable in operation to have the temperature throughout the middle portion of the channels somewhat higher (on the order of -15 F.) than the temperature in the generating zone.

An ironing base unit embodying these relationships will completely convert the maximum quantity of water that will be admitted by the completely opened valve assembly 28 into steam at the minimum temperature of the iron when conditioned for steaming operation. With the same temperature setting, the quantity'of water admitted may be reduced to deliver steam in drier, more highly heated form. The same result may be achieved by increasing the operating 2. A base unit for an iron of the character described having, in combination, an ironing base having a pointed nose portion and an oppositely located heel portion and having steam discharge ports located in the nose portion, a rib on the upper surface of said base of generally V-shaped configuration having its closed end located in the nose portion of the base, heating means housed in said rib, means at the closed end of said rib defining an area for receiving water to be generated into steam, a pair of channels communicating with said area and extending rearwardly to approximately the heel of the base along the inner side of said rib, said channels being upwardly inclined away from said area, said rib having return channels along another side thereof communicating with the rearwardly. extending channels and with the discharge ports.

3. A base unit for an iron of the character described having, in combination, an ironing base provided with a pointed nose portion, heating means on said base, means located adjacent said nose portion defining an area for receiving water a to be generated into steam, a pair of elongated temperature, although of course the volume of steam delivered will be corresponding y greater.

'- By adjustably varying the .quantity of water admitted and the operating temperature, steam at a desired degree of saturation and temperature, and the volume required, may be readily atcreasing velocity of steam flow and increased steam volume serves to eliminate all of such effeet so that the steam as it leaves the channels 38 at the rear endsthereof is delivered with a smooth non-pulsating flow.

In the present relationship of the channels to the encased heating element, the element in effect defines a highly heated rib which is traversed substantially along its entire length and two sides by the steam as it flows to the discharge ports. A third side of the encased heating element also acts efiectively on the steam as it passes through the passages 44 and 48 to the discharge ports. The dimensions of the wells or depressions 45 and 48 may be varied as desired.

We claim as our invention:

1. A base unit for an iron of the character described having, in combination, an ironing base provided with steam discharge ports, means defining a zone on said base to receivewater to begenerated into steam, said base having a pair of diverging channels each communicating with said zone and leading to said discharge ports, said base including a relatively large mass of metal channels extending rearwardly from said area and of gradually diminishing cross sectional area, and a second pair ofreturn channels communicating with the rear ends of said first-mentioned pair and having a uniform cross sectional area.

4. A base unit including a cast base having a pointed nose portion and an oppositely located heel portion, steam, discharge ports in the nose portion, a heating element cast in the base and being generally V-shaped with its closed end located adjacent the nose portion of the base and the sides of the V extending along the sides of the base to locate the open end of the V at the heel of the base, a pair of channels connected at the front end adjacent the closed end of the heating element and, extending rearwardy along the line of the sides of the heating element substantially to the heel of the base, and return channels communicating with the heel portions .of the first ientioned channels and with said 5. In a base unit for an iron'of the character described, the combination of an ironing base having steam discharge ports therein and a flow channel extending generally parallel to the flat plane of the base and leading to said steam discharge ports, means for delivering water to one part of said channel, and means for heating said base and channel, said channel having an initial portion defined inpart by a bottom wall upwardly inclined from the point of water delivery thereto and being of gradually diminishing cross sectional area, said channel having a terminal portion of substantially uniform cross sectional area.

6. In a base unit for an iron of the character described, the combination of an ironing base having a flow channel therein leading to steam g discharge ports, means for delivering water to one part of said channel, and means for heating said base and channel, said channel from the point of water delivery thereto being of gradually diminishing cross sectional area for at least a portion of its length, and the base of said channel being arcuate in cross-section at the part where the water is delivered thereto, the are changing progressively throughout the channel portion of diminishing cross-sectional area until the base of the channel is substantially fiat.

7. In a base unit for an iron of-the character described, the combination of a base havin means thereon defining a zone to receive moisture to be converted into active steam and diverging passages from said zone for conductin steanr generated therein and such moisture as has not been converted, said passages inclining upwardly 5 from said zone and defining a relatively large ture to be converted into active steam and a passage from said zone for conducting steam generatedx therein and such moisture as has not been converted, said passage inclining upwardly from said zone, means located between said'channel and a side of said base for heating said zone and passage, and means defining a second passage in communication with the passage first mentioned and extending in close proximity along FREDERIC M. WARING. EDWARD J. LEE, JR.

10 the heating means. 

